If I fail, is God also a failure?

Psalm 77v7-9 “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? 8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

When you are going through a tough battle many questions arise in your mind and it is good to ask ourselves and God difficult questions.

One such question I have struggled with is “Has God somehow failed us if we are struggling?”

We all have different life journeys and personal struggles. For example, alcohol can be a struggle for many fighting the grip of addiction each day. Sadly my own brother lost his life battling alcohol addiction, although he attended church many times and committed his life to Christ. Still, in the eyes of many he was a failure. But did God fail him?

I’ve asked the same question of myself many times. If I let go of God in the midst of my suffering, will I be seen as a failure? Will God be seen as a failure if I haven’t remained strong? or haven’t endured?

For those who have devastatingly lost their beloved babies at the hands of Lucy Letby in recent times https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-65960514, do they feel that not only has the NHS failed them but that God has failed them also? Maybe these tragic events will sadly keep them from seeking God. Our hearts go out to these families, their lives will never be the same again.

The same is true in our situation. Our lives will never be the same again. Yes, our son has survived but living with a traumatic brain injury has changed him and us and how we live. We are living in that suffering.

But if our suffering causes our faith in God to dwindle, would He truly going to cast us away forever? Ultimately it is sin that separates us from God. But does our suffering also keep us from God both now and eternally?

These are big questions that we shouldn’t be afraid to discuss.

We live in a world where suffering abounds and therefore we need Godly wisdom grounded in Scripture to understand God’s character and His faithfulness. God never fails us. He is the great I AM, He is God and His promises are towards us.

Lam 3:22 “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” NIV

The truth of the matter is that we live in a very broken suffering world with disease, addiction and sin. This does not mean that God has failed us but that the world has fallen far from what God had originally planned for us. But we can take comfort in the knowledge that the Lord has kept us and we haven’t failed Him, His grace is sufficient for us.

We and this world are waiting for the final redemption. A time when God will make all things new. A time when every tear will be wiped away. No more sorrow, nor more sickness, no more heartache.

Until that time, we must trust that God, the Judge of all the earth will do right. Gen 18:25

Prayer - Lord, you know the thoughts and intents of all of us. Please help us know that you are for us even in the midst of the fiercest battles. Even when we fail you, help us to have the assurance that you’re not failing. Thank You that you’re the God who helps in our suffering. Amen.